In 1985, the Presbyterian Church had no partners in mission in Central America and no missionary presence. So the church sent Rev. Joe Reed to determine what might be done. Twenty years later, Reed is preparing to return to Canada, leaving behind three full-time missionaries in a more peaceful region where churches are involved in ministry in different contexts with new challenges, including poverty and economic development.
Reed's return from Central America was announced in a joint statement in October from Reed and Rev. Richard Fee, general secretary of the Life and Mission Agency. The statement said a "mutual understanding" had been reached that the position of area liaison would be phased out as of Sept. 30.
"It was time for a review of where we were at," said Reed, in an interview. The initial purpose of the position was to "find ways in which our relatively small denomination in Canada could be helpful," he said. Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua were then embroiled in civil war and several presbyteries felt the church should do something to help.
Reed went to establish relationships in these and other Central American countries, and was successful in all but Honduras. As a result, the PCC became a founding member of the Caribbean and North America Council for Mission, which helps coordinate and facilitate mission endeavours between the two regions.
The statement said that the current decision had been discussed for the last two years. Electronic communication, the relative ease and frequency of travel and the establishment of partnerships with many churches have changed ministry in Central America since Reed first began there. Talks about the department's future were initiated by the LMA.
The position also had a strong emphasis on education, with Reed fulfilling many speaking engagements in Canada, informing Canadians of what was happening in Central America and helping to bring missionaries to the region. Now that numerous partnerships have been established and the national church works with them directly, Reed said there is no longer a need to have someone doing this for the church.
Having just finished a sabbatical year, Reed will return to Central America for a month to visit partners and colleagues to say farewell and to bring closure to the ministry of area liaison.
"The Life and Mission Agency will continue to work with Rev. Joe Reed as he discerns the future and enters a transition phase within his ministry," the statement said. Fee declined to elaborate, and although Reed wouldn't divulge any details, he said he has "some irons in the fire."
Both Reed and Fee are former moderators of the church. A minute of appreciation will be presented to the General Assembly in June 2006. – AM
